Methods for making coating compositions having predetermined VOC contents, methods for making systems for producing such coating compositions, and temperature adjusters for making such coating compositions

ABSTRACT

A method of making a coating composition includes selecting a temperature adjuster from a plurality of temperature adjusters based on an ambient temperature at which application of the coating composition is to occur. The temperature adjuster contains a resin and a solvent. The resin, the solvent, and/or amounts of the resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature. The temperature adjuster contains no less than about 1% solids and has no more than a predetermined VOC content. A paint is combined with the temperature adjuster. The paint contains a resin and a solvent and has no more than the predetermined VOC content. The temperature adjuster and the paint are mixed to form the coating composition, wherein the coating composition has no more than the predetermined VOC content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/889,346, filed Oct. 10, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to methods for making coatingcompositions, methods for making systems for producing coatingcompositions, and temperature adjusters for making coating compositionsand more particularly relates to methods for making coating compositionsthat have predetermined VOC contents, methods for making systems forproducing such coating compositions, and temperature adjusters formaking the coating compositions.

BACKGROUND

Environmental concerns have resulted in government regulations ofvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints and coatings. For example,in the United States, many states have passed or are considering passinglegislation limiting VOCs in refinish basecoats to no more than 0.42kilograms (kg) of VOCs/liter of paint (3.5 pounds of VOCs/gallon ofpaint). Other countries have or will follow suit. Compliance with theseregulations is currently possible by using “exempt” solvents that arenot included in the calculation of VOCs. VOC exempt solvents do notcause the formation of ground level ozone (smog), according toenvironmental chemists. Several of the more commercially useful VOCexempt solvents include acetone, methyl acetate, tertiary butyl acetate(TBAc), and P-chlorobenzotriflouride (PCBTF). Water also is consideredan exempt solvent.

However, coatings made from these solvents are not always suitable forapplication, for example, by spraying, in all temperatures. Duringapplication of a coating composition, such as a refinish basecoat, it ispreferable that the basecoat dry quickly but not so quickly that thebasecoat does not have time to flow evenly over the vehicle. There are alimited number of exempt solvents and they do not necessarily haveevaporation rates that make them suitable for use in all temperatureranges. For example, if the refinish basecoat is to be sprayed on anautomobile at low temperatures, for example, at temperatures in therange of below 21° C. (about 70° F.), a solvent with a slow evaporationrate would evaporate too slowly and would be undesirable in thebasecoat. Similarly, if the refinish basecoat is to be sprayed at hightemperatures, such as higher than 32° C. (about 90° F.), a solvent witha fast evaporation rate would evaporate too quickly for the coating toflow over the automobile and achieve a smooth finish.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods for making systems forproducing a plurality of coating compositions with predetermined VOCcontents that are suitable for use in predetermined temperature ranges.In addition, it is desirable to provide methods for producing suchcoating compositions. It also is desirable to provide systems forproducing a plurality of such coating compositions. Furthermore, otherdesirable features and characteristics will become apparent from thesubsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods for making coating compositions that have predetermined VOCcontents, methods for making systems for producing such coatingcompositions, and temperature adjusters for making such coatingcompositions are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, amethod of making a coating composition includes selecting a temperatureadjuster based on an ambient temperature at which application of thecoating composition is to occur. The temperature adjuster contains aresin and a solvent, wherein the resin, the solvent, and/or amounts ofthe resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature. Thetemperature adjuster comprises no less than 1% solids. The temperatureadjuster has no more than a predetermined VOC content. A paint iscombined with the temperature adjuster. The paint contains a resin and asolvent and has no more than the predetermined VOC content. Thetemperature adjuster and the paint are mixed to form the coatingcomposition, wherein the coating composition has no more than thepredetermined VOC content.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a method of making asystem for producing a coating composition having a predetermined VOCcontent includes selecting an ambient temperature range at which acoating composition will be applied to a substrate and selecting anexempt solvent, a nonexempt solvent, and a resin from which to form atemperature adjuster used to make the coating composition. The exemptsolvent and the nonexempt solvent are selected based on their rates ofevaporation within the ambient temperature range. The amounts of theexempt solvent, the nonexempt solvent, and the resin are determined sothat the temperature adjuster will be formed with the predetermined VOCcontent or less. The amounts of the exempt solvent, the nonexemptsolvent and the resin are determined to form the temperature adjusterhaving the predetermined VOC content or less, wherein the temperatureadjuster has no less than 1% solid. The selecting steps, the determiningstep and the mixing step are repeated to make additional temperatureadjusters suitable for making additional coating compositions.

In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, a temperatureadjuster for making a coating composition is provided. The temperatureadjuster has a predetermined VOC content and comprises no less than 1%solids. The temperature adjuster is formed by selecting an ambienttemperature range at which the coating composition will be applied. Anexempt solvent, a nonexempt solvent, and a resin from which to form thetemperature adjuster used to make the coating composition are selected.The exempt solvent and the nonexempt solvent are selected based on theirrates of evaporation within the ambient temperature range. Amounts ofthe exempt solvent, the nonexempt solvent, and the resin are determinedso that the temperature adjuster will be formed with the predeterminedVOC content or less. The amounts of the exempt solvent, the nonexemptsolvent and the resin are mixed to form the temperature adjuster havingthe predetermined VOC content or less.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the various embodiments or the application anduses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anytheory presented in the preceding background or the following detaileddescription.

Various embodiments for methods of making systems for producing aplurality of coating compositions having a predetermined VOC content,methods for making coating compositions having a predetermined VOCcontent, and temperature adjusters for making such coating compositionsare described herein. The systems are manufactured for producing aplurality of coating compositions having a predetermined VOC content. Asused herein, when a component has a “predetermined VOC content,” thecomponent has a VOC content that is selected prior to the componentbeing manufactured. In this regard, the component is manufactured sothat it has the selected VOC content. For example, the predetermined VOCcontent can be selected from the range of from about 0.21 kilograms (kg)of VOCs/liter (l) of component to about 0.48 kg/l (about 1.8 to about4.0 pounds (lb.) of VOCs/gallon (gal.) of component), for example, inthe range of from about 0.25 kg/l component to about 0.45 kg/l (about2.1 lbs./gal to about 3.8 lbs./gal), such as about 0.34 kg/l ofcomponent to 0.42 kg/l (about 2.8 lbs./gal to about 3.5 lbs./gal).

The systems generally include a paint that has the predetermined VOCcontent or less. In addition, the systems contain a plurality oftemperature adjusters that each has a balance of solvents and resins. Asused herein, the term “resin” means any of a class of nonvolatile, solidor semisolid organic substances that may consist of amorphous mixturesof natural oil obtained directly from certain plants as exudations, orresins prepared by polymerization of simple molecules. Suitable resinsinclude, but are not limited to, acrylic resins, polyester resins, andcellulosic resins common in the art. Particularly usefulhydroxyl-containing acrylic polymers are composed of polymerizedmonomers of alkyl methacrylates and alkyl acrylates, each having 1-12carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, isobornyl methacrylate, isobornylacrylate, hydroxyl alkyl methacrylate and hydroxyl alkyl acrylate, eachhaving 1-4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, styrene or any mixture ofany of the above monomers. These acrylic polymers have a weight averagemolecular weight of about 2,000 to about 50,000 and a glass transitiontemperature (Tg) of from about −20° C. to about 100° C. Usefulpolyesters are the esterification product of one or more aliphatic oraromatic polycarboxylic acids, and one or more aliphatic polyols, butmay also incorporate anhydrides, monoacids, monoalcohols, or lactones.Useful carboxylic acid or anhydride components include aliphatic diacidshaving 0-12 carbon atoms between the acid groups, phthalic anhydride,isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride,benzoic acid, and coconut fatty acid. Useful hydroxyl components includealiphatic glycols having 0-6 carbon atoms between the hydroxyl groups,glycerine, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, dimethylolpropionicacid, cyclohexanol, and epsilon-caprolactone. The suitable polyester hasa weight average molecular weight ranging from about 1500 to about20,000 and a Tg in the range of about −50° C. to about 100° C. Usefulcellulosic resins include the cellulose acetate butyrate types and thecellulose acetate propionate types. The resins permit the temperatureadjusters to be formulated such that non-exempt solvents may be used inthe temperature adjusters while each of the temperature adjusters stillmeet the predetermined VOC content or less. Each temperature adjusterhas a different solvent or mixture of solvents or an amount ofsolvent(s) so that the resulting coating composition is suitable forfilm application, film formation, leveling, and drying within apredetermined ambient temperature range. In this regard, a coatingcomposition can be formulated to meet a predetermined VOC content orless and to exhibit a suitable application, film formation, leveling anddrying performance for a given ambient temperature.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for making a systemfor producing a plurality of coating compositions having a predeterminedVOC content includes preparing a paint having the predetermined VOCcontent or less and preparing a plurality of temperature adjusters, eachhaving the predetermined VOC content or less. As used herein, the term“coating composition” is used to mean any type of coating applied to asubstrate. The substrate can be made of metal, plastic or other polymermaterials, wood, ceramic, clay, concrete, stone, or other man-made ornatural materials. Examples of suitable substrates include, but are notlimited to, a vehicle, such as an automobile or truck; a home appliance,such as a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dishwasher, microwave oven,cooking and baking ovens; electronic appliances, such as televisionsets, computers, electronic game sets, audio and video equipment,recreational equipment, such as bicycles, ski equipment, and all-terrainvehicles; and home or office furniture, such as tables and filecabinets. The substrate can also have one or more existing coatinglayers. The coating compositions can include primers, sealers, topcoats,clear-coats, basecoats, one- and two-stage coatings, and the like. Asused herein, the term “paint” refers to a composition with or withoutpigment. In the context of vehicle coating, the coating composition canbe used both for vehicle original equipment manufacturing (OEM) coatingsand for repairing or refinishing coatings of vehicles and vehicle parts.

In an exemplary embodiment, the paint is formed from resins andsolvents. The resins are selected depending, at least in part, on thepurpose of the coating composition. For example, if the coatingcomposition is to be a clear coating, a resin of the paint may provide,at least in part, an abrasion-resistance function. The solvents in thepaint will include exempt and non-exempt solvents. The relationshipbetween the VOC content and the type and amount of resins and solventsin the paint can be based on a formula, such as that provided bygovernment regulations. For example, in the United States, whenVOC-exempt solvents are involved, the following Equation I is used for agiven volume of paint:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}\mspace{14mu}\left( {{kg}\text{/}l} \right)} = \frac{\left( {{{kgs}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {{kgs}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvents}}} \right)}{\left( {{{total}\mspace{14mu}{liters}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{paint}} - {{liters}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvents}}} \right)}},} & (I)\end{matrix}$where water is also considered an exempt solvent. If the paint containsresins and solvents and other solids, the Equation I becomes:

${{{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}\mspace{14mu}\left( {{kg}\text{/}l} \right)} = \frac{\begin{pmatrix}{{{kgs}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} +} \\{{{kgs}\mspace{14mu}{nonexempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {{kgs}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvents}}}\end{pmatrix}}{\begin{pmatrix}{{{l.\mspace{14mu}{nonexempt}}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} + {{l.\mspace{14mu}{exempt}}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} +} \\{{{l.\mspace{14mu}{resin}}\mspace{14mu}{solids}} + {{l.\mspace{14mu}{other}}\mspace{14mu}{solids}} - {{l.\mspace{14mu}{exempt}}\mspace{14mu}{solvents}}}\end{pmatrix}}},$where kgs means kilograms and l. means liters. When simplified, EquationI becomes:

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{kgs}\mspace{14mu}{nonexempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} \right)}{\left( {{{l.\mspace{14mu}{nonexempt}}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} + {{l.\mspace{14mu}{resin}}\mspace{14mu}{solids}} + {{l.\mspace{14mu}{other}}\mspace{14mu}{solids}}} \right)}.}$Thus, as explained in more detail below, if nonexempt solvents aredesired in the paint, for example, for their functionality, adding resinto the paint will decrease the VOC content.

In an exemplary embodiment, the paint is formed using a tint. The tintcan be packaged as a first component of the system. In one embodiment,the tint has the same predetermined VOC content of the coatingcomposition or has a lower VOC content. In an alternative embodiment,the tint has a VOC content that is higher than the predetermined VOCcontent. The tint can include a conventional organic or inorganiccolored pigment or mixture of pigments that will provide the coatingcomposition with a desired color or special effect selected by a user.Metallic flakes, such as aluminum flakes, special effect pigments, suchas coated mica flakes, coated aluminum flakes, or a combination thereofcan also be used. The tint is produced by combining the pigments withresins and solvents. The resins can be of the general class of acrylics,polyesters, alkyds and the like and provide the functions of wetting thepigment, aiding in grinding, and facilitating paint compatibility. Thesolvents are VOC-exempt and non-exempt and can include ketones, such asacetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl amylketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, and diisobutyl ketone, esters, such as,ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, t-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, amylacetate, and ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate, alcohols such as, ethanol,isopropanol, butanol, pentanol, glycol ethers, such as propylene glycolmethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene,xylene, and aromatic 100 or aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as heptane,petroleum naphtha, and VM&P naptha (varnish makers and painter naptha).The tint also may include dispersant polymers of the acrylic and/orpolyester type with polar, ionic, aromatic, basic, or acidic functionalgroups. The dispersant polymers are selected for various functions, forexample, wetting and/or stabilizing the pigments in the tint. The tintfurther may include additives such as rheology-imparting materials suchas bentonite clays or hydrophobic fumed silica to prevent settling andimprove suspension of the pigments. If it is desirable for the tint tohave the same predetermined VOC content of the coating composition orhave a lower VOC content, the various ingredients and amounts of thetint can be selected and calculated using Equation (I) for the totalliters of tint. Alternatively, another suitable VOC content formula thatdetermines the VOC content from VOC exempt and non-exempt solvents andresins can be used.

In an embodiment, the tint is prepared by mixing the pigment, theresins, the solvents, and the dispersants into a mixture. The mixturealso may be processed through a grinding mill to grind down the pigmentto a fine particle size and coat the pigment particles with the resinsand the solvents. Additional resins, solvents and additives then areadded to the pigment dispersion to produce the final stable pigmentconcentration.

In another embodiment, the paint is formed using a binder solution. Thebinder solution can be packaged as a second component of the system. Inan embodiment, the binder solution has the same predetermined VOCcontent of the coating composition or has a lower VOC content. In analternative embodiment, the binder solution has a VOC content that ishigher than the predetermined VOC content of the coating composition.The binder solution contains, in addition to solvents, binder resins.When a tint is used in the paint, depending on the particular color ofthe pigment, the binder resins are used to further adjust concentrationof the pigment in the coating composition. In addition, the binderadjuster can include additives, such as those usually used in the paintindustry. Examples of such additives are light stabilizers, for example,based on benztriazoles and HALS compounds, flow control agents based on(meth)acrylic homopolymers or silicone oils, rheology-influencingagents, such as hydrophobic fumed silica or polymeric urea compounds,thickeners, such as cross-linked polycarboxylic acid or polyurethanes,anti-foaming agents, wetting agents, and the like. Examples of generalchemical classes of suitable resins for use in the binder solutioninclude, but are not limited to, acrylic resins, polyester resins andcellulosic resins common to the art. Particularly usefulhydroxyl-containing acrylic polymers are composed of polymerizedmonomers of alkyl methacrylates and alkyl acrylates, each having 1-12carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, isobornyl methacrylate, isobornylacrylate, hydroxyl alkyl methacrylate and hydroxyl alkyl acrylate, eachhaving 1-4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, styrene or any mixture ofany of the above monomers. These acrylic polymers have a weight averagemolecular weight of about 2,000 to about 50,000 and a Tg of from about−20° C. to about 100° C. Useful polyesters are the esterificationproduct of one or more aliphatic or aromatic polycarboxylic acids, andone or more aliphatic polyols, but may also incorporate anhydrides,monoacids, monoalcohols, or lactones. Useful carboxylic acid oranhydride components include aliphatic diacids having 0-12 carbon atomsbetween the acid groups, phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid,terephthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, benzoic acid, andcoconut fatty acid. Useful hydroxyl components include aliphatic glycolshaving 0-6 carbon atoms between the hydroxyl groups, glycerine,trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, dimethylolpropionic acid,cyclohexanol, and epsilon-caprolactone. The suitable polyester has aweight average molecular weight ranging from about 1500 to about 20,000and a Tg in the range of about −50° C. to about 100° C. Usefulcellulosic resins include the cellulose acetate butyrate types and thecellulose acetate propionate types. The solvents are VOC-exempt andnon-exempt and can include ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethylketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, methyl isoamylketone, and diisobutyl ketone, esters, such as, ethyl acetate, n-butylacetate, t-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, amyl acetate, and ethyl3-ethoxy propionate, alcohols such as, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol,pentanol, glycol ethers, such as propylene glycol methyl ether,propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monobutylether acetate, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, xylene, andaromatic 100, or aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as heptane, petroleumnaphtha, and VM&P naptha. If it is desirable for the binder solution tohave the same predetermined VOC content of the coating composition orhave a lower VOC content, the various ingredients and amounts of thebinder solution can be selected and calculated using Equation (I) forthe total liters of binder solution. Alternatively, another suitable VOCcontent formula that determines the VOC content from VOC exempt andnon-exempt solvents and resins can be used.

The paint also is prepared using a reducer, according to anotherembodiment. The reducer can be packaged as a third component of thesystem. In an embodiment, the reducer has the same predetermined VOCcontent of the coating composition or has a lower VOC content. In analternative embodiment, the reducer has a higher VOC content than thepredetermined VOC content of the coating composition. The reducer ispredominantly solvent, such as, for example, all exempt solvents, and isused to further dilute the pigment and/or functional resins in the tintand/or the binder solution. In the case where the non-VOC exempt solventcontent of the chosen reducer is already relatively low, merely byadding a small amount of resin to the solvent of the reducer, the VOCcontent of the reducer can be reduced so that the VOC content of thereducer achieves the predetermined VOC content or less. The solvents areVOC-exempt and non-exempt and can include ketones, such as acetone,methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, methylisoamyl ketone, and diisobutyl ketone, esters, such as, ethyl acetate,n-butyl acetate, t-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, amylacetate, andethyl 3-ethoxy propionate, alcohols such as, ethanol, isopropanol,butanol, pentanol, glycol ethers, such as propylene glycol methyl ether,propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monobutylether acetate, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, xylene, andaromatic 100 or aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as heptane, petroleumnaptha, and VM&P naptha. Suitable resins include, but are not limitedto, very low VOC acrylic resins, or polyesters resins, or flow-impartingresins such as acrylic or polyester plasticizers. In one embodiment, thereducer is about 96 wt. % solvent. In another embodiment, the reducer isabout 98 wt. % solvent. In another embodiment, the reducer is 100 wt. %solvent. If it is desirable for the reducer to have the samepredetermined VOC content of the coating composition or have a lower VOCcontent, the various ingredients and amounts of the reducer can beselected and calculated using Equation (I) for the total liters ofreducer. Alternatively, another suitable VOC content formula thatdetermines the VOC content from VOC exempt and non-exempt solvents andresins can be used.

In an embodiment, the tint, the binder solution, and/or the reducer arecombined, in any suitable ratio and in any sequence, to form the paint.The paint can be mixed using any suitable method to combine theingredients, such as high shear mixing, stirring, agitation, blending,or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, where each component hasthe predetermined VOC content or less, the components can be blendedaccording to a predetermined formula or recipe to achieve a desiredcolor or for a particular functional application (i.e., as a primer, aclearcoat, etc.) and still result in a paint with the predetermined VOCcontent. While in one embodiment, the paint is formed by combining thetint, the binder solution, and the reducer, it will be appreciated thatthe solvents, the resins, and other ingredients of these threecomponents may not necessarily be separated into three such componentsbut may be divided among two components or four or more components andthen may be mixed together to form the paint. For example, when thepaint is a clearcoat and no pigment will be used in a tint, the resinsand solvents that would normally be used in the tint can be used in thebinder solution, and only the binder solution and the reducer would becombined to form the paint.

As noted above, the method for making a system for producing a coatingcomposition having a predetermined VOC content also includes preparing aplurality of temperature adjusters, each having the predetermined VOCcontent or less. The temperature adjusters can be packaged as a fourthcomponent of the system. The function of the temperature adjusters is tofurther dilute the paint to the extent suitable for application, and tocomplete the full resin composition to achieve the desired colorbalance, enhance adhesion, improve rheology, speed drying, and the like.During application of a coating composition, it is preferable that thecoating composition dry quickly but not so quickly that the basecoatdoes not have time to flow evenly over the substrate. Also as mentionedabove, in the United States, there are relatively few exempt solventsand they do not necessarily have evaporation rates that make themsuitable for use in all temperature ranges. This limited number ofexempt solvents makes forming temperature adjusters that meet low VOCcontent limits difficult. Accordingly, the system for producing acoating composition is made with several temperatures adjusters, eachtemperature adjuster containing a solvent or mixture of solvents or anamount of solvent(s) that are preferable for use in a coatingcomposition for application at a prescribed temperature range. Forexample, the system may be manufactured to include three temperatureadjusters. A first temperature adjuster may be suitable to make acoating composition for application at temperatures in the range of fromabout 15° C. to about 24° C. (about 59° F. to about 75° F.), a secondtemperature adjuster may be suitable to make a coating composition forapplication at temperatures in the range of from about 24° C. to about32° C. (75° F. to about 90° F.), and a third temperature adjuster may besuitable to make a coating composition for application at temperaturesabove about 32° C. (about 90° F.). Of course, the system may containtwo, four or more temperature adjusters in other embodiments.

Solvents selected for use within the various temperature ranges may notbe exempt solvents and, thus, are likely to have VOC contents beyond thepredetermined VOC content. Accordingly, Equation I above, or anothersuitable VOC content formula, can be used to determine the amount ofresins to be used in the temperature adjusters to achieve thepredetermined VOC content or less. The resins themselves can be selectedbased on their functionality, such as their ability to balance color,enhance adhesion, improve rheology, speed drying, and the like. Resinsthat are not themselves packaged with non-exempt solvents, that is, thatwill not add non-exempt solvents with their own addition, areparticularly suitable for use in the temperature adjusters. For example,powdered resins are preferred. The solvents are VOC-exempt andnon-exempt and can include ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethylketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, methyl isoamylketone, and diisobutyl ketone, esters, such as, ethyl acetate, n-butylacetate, t-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, amyl acetate, and ethyl3-ethoxy propionate, alcohols such as, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol,pentnol, glycol ethers, such as propylene glycol methyl ether, propyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monobutyl etheracetate, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene, xylene, and aromatic100, or aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as heptane, petroleum naptha, andVM&P naptha. Suitable resins include, but are not limited to, acrylicresins, polyester resins, and cellulosic resins common to the art.Particularly useful hydroxyl-containing acrylic polymers are composed ofpolymerized monomers of alkyl methacrylates and alkyl acrylates, eachhaving 1-12 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups, isobornyl methacrylate,isobornyl acrylate, hydroxyl alkyl methacrylate and hydroxyl alkylacrylate, each having 1-4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, styrene orany mixture of any of the above monomers. These acrylic polymers have aweight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 50,000 and a Tgof from about −20° C. to about 100° C. Useful polyesters are theesterification product of one or more aliphatic or aromaticpolycarboxylic acids, and one or more aliphatic polyols, but may alsoincorporate anhydrides, monoacids, monoalcohols, or lactones. Usefulcarboxylic acid or anhydride components include aliphatic diacids having0-12 carbon atoms between the acid groups, phthalic anhydride,isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic anhydride,benzoic acid, and coconut fatty acid. Useful hydroxyl components includealiphatic glycols having 0-6 carbon atoms between the hydroxyl groups,glycerine, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, dimethylolpropionicacid, cyclohexanol, and epsilon-caprolactone. The suitable polyester hasa weight average molecular weight ranging from about 1500 to about20,000 and a ε in the range of about −50° C. to about 100° C. Usefulcellulosic resins include the cellulose acetate butyrate types and thecellulose acetate propionate types. The temperature adjusters furthermay include additives, such as those usually used in the paint industry.Examples of such additives are light stabilizers, for example, based onbenztriazoles and HALS compounds, flow control agents based on(meth)acrylic homopolymers or silicon oils, rheology-influencing agents,such as hydrophobic fumed silica or polymeric urea compounds,thickeners, such as cross-linked polycarboxylic acid or polyurethanes,anti-foaming agents, wetting agents, and the like. The amount of resinsand solvents in each of the temperature adjusters are such that each ofthe temperature adjusters has no less than about 1 wt. % solids based onthe entire weight of the temperature adjuster, for example, no less thanabout 4% solids, such as no less than about 6% solids.

In another, optional, embodiment, the method for making a system forproducing a plurality of coating compositions having a predetermined VOCcontent includes providing a crosslinking component in the system. Thecrosslinking component can be packaged as an optional, fifth componentof the coating composition. The term “crosslinking component” refers toa component having “crosslinking functional groups” that are functionalgroups positioned in each molecule of the component, wherein thesefunctional groups are capable of crosslinking with other functionalgroups in the coating composition (during the curing step) to produce acoating in the form of crosslinked structures.

Suitable crosslinking functional groups can include isocyanate,thioisocyanate, alkylated melamine formaldehyde, acetoacetoxy, carboxyl,primary amine, secondary amine, epoxy, anhydride, ketamine, aldimine, ora workable combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, thecrosslinking component is polyisocyanate.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system for producing a plurality ofcoating compositions contains the tint, the binder solution, thereducer, the plurality of temperature adjusters, and the optionalcrosslinking component, as contemplated above, all packaged togetherand/or sold together and/or otherwise formulated or manufactured to becombined to produce a coating composition as contemplated herein. Inanother embodiment, the system is packaged with a plurality of tints sothat coating compositions of a variety of colors and special effects canbe produced using the binder solution, the reducer, the plurality oftemperature adjusters, and the optional crosslinking component.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a method of making a coatingcomposition includes forming a paint. The paint is formed by combining abinder solution, a reducer, and optionally a tint, as contemplatedabove, in amounts or ratios and sequence according to a predeterminedformula for obtaining a coating composition having a predeterminedcolor, special effect, or function. The paint can be mixed using anysuitable method to combine the ingredients, such as high shear mixing,stirring, agitation, blending, or any combination thereof. While in oneembodiment, the paint is formed by combining the tint, the bindersolution, and the reducer, it will be appreciated that the solvents, theresins, and other ingredients of these three components may notnecessarily be separated into three such components but may be dividedamong two components or four or more components and then may be mixedtogether to form the paint. For example, for a clearcoat, pigment in thetint may not be used. Accordingly, other necessary resins and solventsin the tint can be divided between the binder solution and the reducerand the paint can be formed from just these two components.

The method further includes selecting a temperature adjuster from aplurality of temperature adjusters based on the temperature at which theresulting coating composition will be applied. Application of thecoating composition can be accomplished at ambient temperatures, such astemperatures in a range of from about 18° C. to about 43° C. Thus, asdescribed above, for ambient temperatures in a range of from about 18°C. to about 35° C., a first temperature adjuster may be suitable to makea coating composition for application at temperatures in the range offrom below about 24° C. (about 75° F.), a second temperature adjustermay be suitable to make a coating composition for application attemperatures in the range of from 24° C. to about 32° C. (75° F. toabout 90° F.), and a third temperature adjuster may be suitable to makea coating composition for application at temperatures above about 32° C.(about 90° F.). Of course, the system may contain two, four or moretemperature adjusters in other embodiments.

Once the temperature adjuster is selected for the temperature at whichthe coating composition is to be applied, the method continues with themixing of the paint and the temperature adjuster. The paint andtemperature adjuster are combined in amounts or ratios according to thepredetermined formula for obtaining a coating composition having apredetermined color, special effect, or function. For example, the paintand the temperature adjuster can be combined in a predetermined ratio inthe range of from about 4:1 to about 1:4 by volume, for example, fromabout 2:1 to about 1:2 by volume. The paint can be mixed using anysuitable method to combine the ingredients, such as high shear mixing,stirring, agitation, blending, or any combination thereof. In anexemplary embodiment, the tint, the binder solution, the reducer andeach of the temperature adjusters have a VOC content at thepredetermined VOC content or less. In another embodiment, the tint, thebinder solution, the reducer and/or the temperature adjusters have a VOCcontent above the predetermined VOC content but their presence in thecoating composition is substantially insignificant such that theresulting coating composition still exhibits the predetermined VOCcontent or less. Thus, an end-user, such as an autobody refinisher, neednot worry about meeting country or local VOC regulations uponformulating the coating composition as any coating composition createdusing the system will meet such regulations. An optional crosslinkingcomponent can also be added to the coating composition to facilitatecrosslinking of the composition.

Next, the coating composition is applied to a substrate and dried. Thecoating composition can be applied by conventional techniques, such asspraying, electrostatic spraying, dipping, brushing, and flow coating.The coating composition can be applied to a thickness in the range offrom about 2.54 microns (μm) to about 254 μm (about 0.1 to about 10mils), for example, from about 12.7 μm to about 76.2 μm (about 0.5 toabout 3 mils), and any number of coatings can be applied. Because thecoating composition contains a temperature adjuster formulated tofacilitate application, leveling, film formation, and drying at thetemperature at which application is occurring, the coating compositiondries (or cures, as the case may be) relatively quickly and evenly.

While the above embodiments describe the coating composition formed withthe paint combined with a temperature adjuster, it is important to notethat the coating composition is not so limited. Rather, the coatingcomposition can be formed, in other embodiments, with the temperatureadjuster combined first with one or more individual components of thepaint, such as with the tint, the binder solution, or the reducer,followed by combination with the remaining components.

The following is an example of a refinish basecoat system, a method formaking the system, and a method for producing a silver coatingcomposition having a VOC content less than 0.42 kg/l (3.5 lb/gal). Theexamples are provided for illustration purposes only and are not meantto limit the various embodiments contemplated herein in any way.

EXAMPLES

Acrylic Resin #1

An acrylic polymer solution was prepared by free-radicalcopolymerization by charging the following constituents into apolymerization reactor equipped with a thermometer, a heating source, astirrer, a dropping funnel, a nitrogen purge, and a condenser:

wt. % Portion 1 Methyl amyl ketone 27.42 Portion 2 Butyl acrylatemonomer 31.00 Methacrylic acid monomer 5.00 Isobornyl acrylate monomer20.00 Hydroxy ethyl methacrylate monomer 7.50 Hydroxy propylmethacrylate monomer 7.50 Styrene monomer 29.00 Portion 3Di-t-butyl-peroxide 0.55 Methyl amyl ketone 30.85 TOTAL 158.82

Portion 1 was added to the reactor and heated to its reflux temperature.Portion 2 was premixed and then added at a uniform rate to the reactorover 195 minutes while the resulting reaction mixture was maintained atits reflux temperature. Portion 3 was premixed and added to the reactorover a period of 200 minutes at a uniform rate while maintaining thereaction mixture at its reflux temperature. The reaction mixture washeld at its reflux temperature for an additional 2 hours.

The resulting acrylic polymer solution had a polymer solids content ofabout 63 wt. % and a Gardner-Holdt viscosity of Z.

Acrylic Resin #2

An acrylic polymer solution was prepared by free-radicalcopolymerization by charging the following constituents into apolymerization reactor equipped with a thermometer, a heating source, astirrer, a dropping funnel, a nitrogen purge, and a condenser:

wt. % Portion 1 T-butylacetate 13.70 Portion 2 Methyl methacrylatemonomer 14.60 N-butyl acrylate monomer 14.60 2-Ethylhexyl methacrylatemonomer 11.70 Hydroxy ethyl methacrylate monomer 11.70 Styrene monomer5.90 T-butylacetate 1.20 Portion 3 Vazo ® 67 3.40 T-butylacetate 23.20TOTAL 158.82,where Vazo® 67 is 2,2′azobis-(2-methylbutyronitrile available from E.I.DuPont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del. Portion 1 was added to thereactor and heated to its reflux temperature. Portion 2 was premixed andthen added at a uniform rate to the reactor over 360 minutes while theresulting reaction mixture was maintained at its reflux temperature.Portion 3 was premixed and simultaneously added to the reactor withPortion 2. Portion 3 was added over a period of 390 minutes. Thereaction mixture was held at its reflux temperature for an additional 60minutes and then cooled to room temperature. The resulting acrylicpolymer solution had a polymer solids content of about 60 wt. % and aGardner-Holdt viscosity Y+1/4.

Rheology Control Agent in Acrylic Resin #2

Approximately 1.7 wt. % of benzyl amine, available from BASF of FlorhamPark, N.J., was mixed with about 1.34 wt. % of 1.6 hexamethylenediisocyanate in the presence of 96.36 wt. % of the Acrylic Resin #2. Thereaction was stirred for 5 minutes.

Polyester Resin

A copolyester polyol was synthesized by esterifying dimethylolpropionicacid, pentaerythritol, and epsilon-caprolactone. A 12-liter reactorequipped with a mechanical stirrer, a thermocouple, and a short pathdistillation head with a water separator under nitrogen purge wascharged with 2063.4 g. dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), 167.1 g.pentaerythritol (PE), 31.0 g. tin (II) 2-ethylhexanoate, and 108.3 g.xylene. The reaction mixture was heated to its reflux temperature andthe water of reaction was collected from the water separator. Thereaction progress was monitored by the amount of water collected, andthe reaction temperature was not allowed to exceed 185° C. An additional20 g of xylene was added throughout the reaction to maintain the refluxtemperature below 185° C. When the amount of water collected approachedtheoretical (277 g), acid number measurements were used to determine theend point, which was an acid number of less than 5. At a measured acidnumber of 1.7, the reactor was allowed to cool to 120° C. Then 4126.8 gof epsilon-caprolactone was added slowly over a 15-20 minute periodthrough an addition funnel. The reactor was held at 120° C. until thesolids exceeded 95%. Then the reactor was allowed to cool to 90° C. andthe resulting polymer solution was thinned with 1391.8 g methyl amylketone. Forced air was used to cool the reactor to below 50° C.

The polymer solution had 80.2 wt. % solids content, a Gardner Holdtviscosity of V+1/4, and the final acid number was 2.1 corrected forsolids. The Polyester Resin was further reduced to 65.5 wt. % solidscontent by the further addition of methyl amyl ketone.

The various components of a paint of the silver coating composition werethen produced according to the following formulas and with the relativepredetermined VOC contents:

Aluminum Tint (wt. %) Acrylic resin #1 27.192 Acrylic resin #2 20.752Aluminum paste 7768N from Toyo Aluminum 23.845 Dispersion of Bentone 27clay from Elementis 14.286 Specialties, Inc. Methyl amyl ketone 5.000Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 4.100 t-Butyl acetate 4.825 TOTAL 100.000,where Aluminum past 7768N is available from Toyo Aluminum K.K. of Japanand Bentone 27 clay is available from Element is Specialties, Inc. ofEast Windsor, N.J.

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{1.982\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {0.806\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {0.939\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.413\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Binder Solution (wt. %) Acrylic resin #1 31.638 Acrylic resin #2 21.548Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 10.900 t-Butyl acetate 35.914 TOTAL 100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{2.366\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {1.562\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {1.813\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.408\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Reducer #1 (At or Below Predetermined VOC Content) (wt. %) t-Butylacetate 98.919 Acrylic resin #2 1.081 TOTAL 100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{3.243\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.227\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.745\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.400\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Reducer #2 (Above Predetermined VOC Content) (wt. %) t-Butyl acetate100.000 TOTAL 100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{3.260\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.244\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.764\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.762\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 1 (Temp. Range about 18 to 27° C.) (wt. %) SCAin Acrylic Resin #2 2.729 Polyester Resin 1.855 CAB resin 381-0.5 1.932CAB resin 381-0.1 1.123 Resamin ® HF480 0.500 Byk ® 361N 0.167Diisobutyl ketone 2.200 Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 1.570 Acetone 6.110Benzene, 1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 81.814 TOTAL 100.000,where CAB resin 381-0.5 and 381-0.1 are cellulose acetate butyratesavailable from Eastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, Tenn., Resamin HF480is a carbamic resin available from Allnex of Belgium, and Byk® 361N is apolyacrylate surface additive available from Byk of Germany.

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.371\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {4.161\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.274\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.411\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 2 (Temp. Range about 27 to 32° C.) (wt. %) SCAin Acrylic resin #2 1.772 Acrylic resin #2 0.963 Polyester resin 1.851CAB resin 381-0.5 1.926 CAB resin 381-0.1 1.119 Resamin ® HF480 0.498Byk ® 361N 0.166 Diisobutyl ketone 1.100 Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 1.035Ethylene glycol monobutylether acetate 1.485 Acetone 6.091 Benzene,1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 81.994 TOTAL 100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.385\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {4.182\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.293\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.413\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 3 (Temp. Range about 32 to 40° C.) (wt. %) SCAin acrylic resin #2 0.814 Acrylic resin #2 1.926 Polyester resin 1.846CAB resin 381-0.5 1.920 CAB resin 381-0.1 1.116 Resamin ® HF480 0.497Byk ® 361N 0.165 Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 0.500 Ethylene glycolmonobutylether acetate 2.970 Acetone 6.072 Benzene,1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 82.174 TOTAL 100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.398\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {4.201\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.308\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.413\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 4 (Temp. Range about 18 to 27° C.) (wt. %) SCAin Acrylic Resin #2 2.729 Polyester Resin 1.855 CAB resin 381-0.5 1.932CAB resin 551-0.2 1.123 Resamin ® HF480 0.500 Byk ® 361N 0.167Diisobutyl ketone 2.200 Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 1.570 Acetone 6.110Benzene, 1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 81.814 TOTAL 100.000,where CAB resin 381-0.5 and 551-0.2 are cellulose acetate butyratesavailable from Eastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, Tenn., Resamin HF480is a carbamic resin available from Allnex of Belgium, and Byk® 361N is apolyacrylate surface additive available from Byk of Germany.

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.368\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {4.161\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.7875\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.279\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.409\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 5 (Temp. Range about 18 to 27° C.) (wt. %) SCAin Acrylic Resin #2 2.729 Polyester Resin 1.855 CAB resin 381-0.5 1.932CAB resin 381-2 1.123 Resamin ® HF480 0.500 Byk ® 361N 0.167 Diisobutylketone 2.200 Ethyl 3-ethoxy propionate 1.570 Acetone 6.110 Benzene,1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 81.814 TOTAL 100.000,where CAB resin 381-0.5 and 381-2 are cellulose acetate butyratesavailable from Eastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, Tenn., Resamin HF480is a carbamic resin available from Allnex of Belgium, and Byk® 361N is apolyacrylate surface additive available from Byk of Germany.

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.372\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {4.162\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.279\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.415\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 6 (Temp. Range about 18 to 27° C.) (wt. %) SCAin Acrylic Resin #2 3.981 Polyester Resin 4.003 CAB resin 381-0.5 3.415Resamin ® HF480 0.711 Byk ® 361N 0.236 Diisobutyl ketone 5.237 Acetone6.829 t-Butyl acetate 14.768 Benzene, 1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 60.820TOTAL 100.000,where CAB resin 381-0.5 is cellulose acetate butyrate available fromEastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, Tenn., Resamin HF480 is a carbamicresin available from Allnex of Belgium, and Byk® 361N is a polyacrylatesurface additive available from Byk of Germany.

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{3.842\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.558\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.088\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{{exem}pt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.407\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 7 (Temp. Range about 27 to 32° C.) (wt. %) SCAin Acrylic resin #2 3.797 Polyester resin 3.818 CAB resin 381-0.5 3.258Resamin ® HF480 0.678 Byk ® 361N 0.227 Diisobutyl ketone 2.326 Ethyl3-ethoxy propionate 2.344 Acetone 6.514 t-Butyl acetate 7.181 Benzene,1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 69.857 TOTAL 100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.047\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.778\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.128\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.409\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Temperature Adjuster No. 8 (Temp. Range about 32 to 40° C.) (wt. %) SCAin acrylic resin #2 3.646 Polyester resin 3.667 CAB resin 381-0.5 3.126Resamin ® HF480 0.650 Byk ® 361N 0.216 Ethylene glycol monobutylether4.384 Acetone 6.253 Benzene, 1-chloro-4(trifluoromethyl) 78.058 TOTAL100.000

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{4.233\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.970\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {3.143\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.410\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Silver Basecoat Paint No. 1 (wt. %) Aluminum Tint 58.56 Binder Solution20.05 Reducer #1 21.39 TOTAL 100.00

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{2.372\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {1.557\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {1.787\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.408\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Reduced Silver Refinish Basecoat No. 1 (wt. %) Silver Basecoat Paint28.35 Temperature Adjuster No. 1 71.65 TOTAL 100.00

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{3.703\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.293\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {2.780\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.408\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Silver Basecoat Paint No. 2 (wt. %) Aluminum Tint 48.76 Binder Solution6.01 Reducer #1 45.23 TOTAL 100.00

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{2.6941\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {2.065\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {2.380\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.410\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Reduced Silver Refinish Basecoat No. 2 (wt. %) Silver Basecoat Paint No.2 27.72 Temperature Adjuster No. 1 72.28 TOTAL 100.00

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{3.794\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {3.464\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {2.979\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.409\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Silver Basecoat Paint No. 3 (wt. %) Aluminum Tint 37.45 Binder Solution15.31 Reducer #2 47.24 TOTAL 100.00

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{2.696\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {2.172\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {2.507\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.410\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Reduced Silver Refinish Basecoat No. 3 (wt. %) Silver Basecoat Paint No.3 45.45 Temperature Adjuster No. 6 54.55 TOTAL 100.00

${{VOC}\mspace{14mu}{content}} = {\frac{\left( {{3.269\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{total}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}} - {2.865\mspace{14mu}{kg}\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)}{\left( {{3.785\mspace{14mu} l} - {2.798\mspace{14mu} l\mspace{14mu}{exempt}\mspace{14mu}{solvent}}} \right)} = {0.409\mspace{14mu}{kg}\text{/}{l.}}}$

Accordingly, various embodiments for methods of making systems forproducing a plurality of coating compositions having a predetermined VOCcontent, methods for making coating compositions having a predeterminedVOC content, and temperature adjusters for making such coatingcompositions are described herein. While at least one exemplaryembodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description ofthe invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variationsexist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment orexemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limitthe scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled inthe art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changesmay be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in anexemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making a coating composition, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a temperature adjuster from a plurality of temperature adjusters based on an ambient temperature at which application of the coating composition is to occur, the temperature adjuster comprising a resin and a solvent, wherein the resin, the solvent, and/or amounts of the resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature, wherein the temperature adjuster comprises no less than about 1% solids and wherein the temperature adjuster comprises no more than a predetermined VOC content, wherein the predetermined VOC content is about 0.48 kilograms per liter; combining a paint with the temperature adjuster, the paint comprising a resin and a solvent and having no more than the predetermined VOC content; and mixing the temperature adjuster and the paint to form the coating composition, wherein the coating composition has no more than the predetermined VOC content, wherein the resin is selected from the group comprising acrylics, polyesters, and alkyds, and wherein the solvent is selected from the group comprising ketones, esters, alcohols, glycol ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a tint, wherein the tint comprises no more than the predetermined VOC content and contains a pigment.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a binder solution, wherein the binder solution comprises no more than the predetermined VOC content and contains a resin and a solvent.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a reducer, wherein the reducer comprises no more than the predetermined VOC content and contains a solvent with or without some resin.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing comprises mixing the temperature adjuster, the paint, and a crosslinking component.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein mixing comprises mixing the temperature adjuster, the paint, and an isocyanate.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing comprises mixing the temperature adjuster and the paint in a ratio in a range of from about 4:1 to about 1:4.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein mixing comprises mixing the temperature adjuster and the paint in a ratio in the range of from about 2:1 to about 1:2.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a tint, a binder solution, and a reducer and one or more of the tint, the binder solution, and the reducer comprises no more than the predetermined VOC content.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature adjuster comprises no more than about 0.45 kilograms per liter.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature adjuster comprises no more than about 0.42 kilograms per liter.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature adjuster comprises from about 0.21 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.48 kilograms of VOCs per liter; and wherein the coating composition comprises from about 0.21 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.48 kilograms of VOCs per liter.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature adjuster comprises from about 0.25 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.45 kilograms of VOCs per liter, and wherein the coating composition comprises from about 0.25 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.45 kilograms of VOCs per liter.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature adjuster comprises from about 0.34 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.42 kilograms of VOCs per liter, and wherein the coating composition comprises from about 0.34 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.42 kilograms of VOCs per liter.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the paint comprises from about 0.21 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.48 kilograms of VOCs per liter.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a tint, wherein the tint comprises from about 0.21 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.48 kilograms of VOCs per liter and contains a pigment.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a binder solution, wherein the binder solution comprises from about 0.21 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.48 kilograms of VOCs per liter and contains a resin and a solvent.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein combining the paint with the temperature adjuster comprises combining the paint formed of a reducer, wherein the reducer comprises from about 0.21 kilograms of VOCs per liter to about 0.48 kilograms of VOCs per liter and contains a solvent.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein mixing comprises mixing the temperature adjuster and the paint in a ratio of from about 2:1 to about 1:2. 